1998 Ford Taurus '98 Ford Taurus Shut Down and Burnt Down

1998 Ford Taurus Two Wheel Drive Automatic

My '98 Ford Taurus was acting up, and being the youth I was, I didn't think much of it. One day, while driving on the highway, it began making a weird noise and emmitting a strange smell. Then, all at once, it began slowing down and slowing down until it essentially came to a complete stop. I pulled over to the side of the highway to call for help when I saw smoke steaming off the top of the hood and noticed flames falling from bellow the engine area. Then the drivers seat area caught on fire and the whole cabin was shortly incinerated. It was a miraculous sight, and we were never able to diagnose exactly what happened. I was wondering if there are common reasons for why something like this might have occured? Or just a simpler explination so I can put this to rest.